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Topic: Parts availability - in the UK. (Read 416 times)

I'm in the process of getting a 175 Hurricane running here in the UK - it did feature on a much earlier thread on this forum (years ago) in an ebay auction. I've got the engine apart - which required a bit of work - I had to extract the piston from the cylinders as they were stuck fast. I tried all the usual suggestions - penetrating fluids, heat etc. I resorted to cranking them out the bottom of the cylinders using 4 lengths of threaded bar in place of the studs, with a thick steel plate on top of a length of wood on top of the pistons. They let go with a might crack as I applied a half turn to each of the nuts in turn. It took a while but I got them out. The pistons were dirty but not damaged, the rings too - but I broke one in my haste to remove it, lesson learnt - took it easy on the others and they came off without breaking.

The cylinders definitely need work - there's several spots of damage on the walls of both and someone (not me) managed to break the skirt off the front of the left one.

The outer crank bearings seem fine but the centre is rough and the outer race of it slides from left to right.

Whats the supply of decent cranks like - I've seen some rotten ones on ebay - does anyone know anyone in the UK that has pressed these things apart to replace bearings?

Now - the mystery.The way I read it is that the pistons for a 175 with alu cylinders there should be a 'T' stamped on the top of the piston - I can't find one on either in this bike. Am I right? Does this bike have the wrong pistons? Reading the CLymer manual I think this bike has pistons from a 90 in it.

That is a piston for a 90 iron cylinder. The aluminum cylinder 90 and 175 have a swirl mark in the top center, the 175 pistons are supposed to have a "T" stamp, but I've used pistons without the T multiple times. Anyone else on the forum have experience with this?

The chrome bore of the 175 is incompatible with pistons from iron bore 90s. The piston from the 90 Sport which has a chrome bore can be used in the 175. See the 175 Clymer manual section on pistons. Also you must use the specific rings for the 90 sport or 175. Do NOT use the rings from a 90 with a steel/iron bore in the 175.otherwise you will ruin the chrome bore.Cheers Ray

Many UK members have used Langcourt for cylinder repair/rechroming and I've never heard of any complaints. I believe they may be the only UK company to offer this service (chrome) and I will be forwarding a pair of barrels in the near future. Nikasil plating is also available but I forget the company who do this. They do a lot of work for F1 teams and can have extended lead times. Good luck with the resto, Brian.

Hi Ragman,Langcourts do a great job with the cylinders - I've had all of mine done there.The plating is actually Nikasil. Tell them you need a .0002 clearance between piston and cylinder.As for the crank rebuild. If you are anywhere near leicester, my engineer/mechanic could do this for you. He has done everyone of my crank rebuilds and knows what he's doing.I have the inner bearing race for the centre, but not the outer shell. If you are struggling, then someone could make this for you.Unless Richard has the centre seal, they appear to be unobtainable now. I used to get mine from CPC, but the last time I enquired, they had sold them all.If you would like to contact me on: s.price627@ntlworld.com I still have some nos engine parts left and various used parts available.And of course, I can put you right with information to get you in the right direction.